Northern Mexico Prison Riot Leaves 52 Dead

A prison riot in northern Mexico overnight that left dozens dead started as a fight between leaders of rival gangs, officials said Feb. 11.

Fifty-two people were killed inside Topo Chico prison in Monterrey, Mexico officials said at a news conference. Twelve others were injured, including five in critical condition.

The riot started at 12:30 a.m. when two rival factions began to fight. During the riot, inmates set fire to their bedding, which affected two of the prison’s units. The flames were put out just minutes before sunrise.

State and federal forces as well as relatives of inmates gathered outside the prison on Thursday morning, creating quite a scene around the site of the crime.

Mexico has seen deadly riots like these in the past. At this same prison in Monterrey, three inmates were stabbed to death in February of 2012. In 2011, the head of security at Topo Chico was found dead and mutilated. Authorities believe the crime to have been committed by a drug cartel.

Mexico has recently stated that the increase in violent events in the prison system are a result of corruption and lack of resources.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.